BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a walking cane for an ambulatory user provided with
ancillary devices to assist the user in picking up items from the floor and for illuminating
the user's path in the dark.
[0002] As used herein, the term "walking cane" is intended to mean any type of stick, tube,
crutch, pole, rod or similar device which is used to assist in walking and/or maintaining
balance while standing.
[0003] Many attempts have been made in the prior art to provide ambulatory assistance for
the elderly and the handicapped. Walking canes have been provided with various accessories,
such as devices to mechanically grasp and pick up objects from the floor. The following
U.S. patents and published patent application disclose a large variety of such pick-up
devices:
3,763,872
4,811,750
5,392,800
5,636,650
6,386,216
6,527,321
US 2004/0040588
[0004] These devices are adequate for the purpose for which they are intended, although
none are particularly convenient to use. With some of these known walking canes two
hands must be used to pick up an object: One hand to hold the handle of the walking
cane and the other actuate the pick-up device to cause it to grasp the object. Particularly
for an elderly person who may easily lose his/her balance, the use of both hands to
pick up and retrieve an object is unsafe. With other known walking canes, the actuating
mechanism for the pick-up device is difficult or awkward to control.
[0005] Furthermore, while these mechanical devices used with walking canes could easily
grasp certain objects, such as items of clothing, it is difficult for them to retrieve
small objects, such as keys, which may have been accidentally dropped.
[0006] It is also known in the prior art to provide a walking cane which can illuminate
the region of the floor near the bottom of the cane. The following patents disclose
various such illumination devices:
4,062,371
4,562,850
4,625,742
4,837,666
5,197,501
5,392,800
[0007] These patents all disclose a cane which incorporates a light, battery and switch
combination that enables the user to illuminate his/her pathway when in a low light
environment, such as at a cinema theater. Particularly persons of advanced age often
have decreased night vision and require some extra illumination and assistance in
a low light environment.
[0008] Finally, walking canes have been devised which incorporate various other mechanical
and electrical devices. For example,
U.S. Patent No. 5,901,723 discloses a "security cane with pepper spray dispenser".
U.S. Patent No. 4,583,080 discloses an "audible alarm and projection lamp attachment for a walking cane".
U.S. Patent No. 4,280,204 discloses a "mobility cane for the blind, incorporating ultrasonic optical sensing
apparatus".
[0009] The art of walking canes has been developed over a period of many years, yet no cane
has yet been produced which provides for the basic needs of a user without jeopardizing
the safety of the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a walking cane, incorporating
a mechanical device for picking up articles, that is extremely easy to use with one
hand, while leaving the other hand of the user free.
[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a walking cane which is
capable of picking up small metal articles.
[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a walking cane with a
built-in "flashlight" having a switch that is controlled by the user's cane-holding
hand, leaving the user's other hand free.
[0013] These objects, as well as other objects which will become apparent from the discussion
that follows, are achieved, in accordance with the present invention, by providing
a walking cane, having (a) a grasping device that is operable by a user with the same
hand which holds the handle, and (b) one or both of the following devices:
- (1) a light source, including a light control switch disposed on the handle, for illuminating
a region near the distal end of the cane; and
- (2) a permanent magnet, preferably disposed on the handle, for attracting and holding
objects which are made, at least in part, of magnetically permeable material.
[0014] Advantageously, the walking cane may also include a hook or loop to permit attachment
of a carrying strap, or attachment of other items such as keys which the user may
wish to keep handy.
[0015] The grasping device itself preferably comprises a plurality of grippers, formed as
a plurality of wires having hooked ends which form a "claw" that is deployable between
an open position disposed at the distal end of the walking cane and a closed position
enclosed within this distal end. The claw is thus arranged for movement along the
longitudinal axis of the cane, into and out of an opening at the distal end of the
cane. The wires which form the claw are configured to spread apart when they are moved
out of the opening and to collapse together when they are withdrawn within the distal
end of the cane.
[0016] The grasping device is actuated by a rod that extends through the interior of the
cane from its handle at the proximal end of the elongate cane tube to the claw at
the distal end. A return spring biases the rod upward toward the proximal end in the
direction of the handle thereby biasing the claw toward its closed position within
the cane. A knob, which is disposed in, and protrudes upward from, the handle, is
mechanically coupled to the upper end of the rod. This knob, and thus also the rod,
may be pressed downward by the user to actuate the grasping device.
[0017] For a full understanding of the present invention, reference should now be made to
the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a walking cane according to the preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
Figs. 2A and 2B are schematic views of the grasping device, in the closed and open
positions, respectively, which is incorporated into the walking cane of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3A is a schematic view of one preferred embodiment of an illumination device
which may be incorporated into the walking cane of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3B is a schematic diagram of an alternative preferred embodiment of an illumination
device which may be incorporated into the walking cane of Fig. 1.
Figs. 4A and 4B are representative diagrams of the distal end of the walking cane
of Fig. 1 with the grasping device in a closed position and in an open position, respectively.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the walking cane of Fig. 1, grasping an item of clothing.
Figs. 6A and 6B are perspective views of a portion of the handle of the walking cane
of Fig. 1 with a permanent magnet for picking up metal objects.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing an opposite end of the handle of the walking
cane of Fig. 1, showing a loop for attachment of a carrying strap.
Fig. 8 is a detailed side view of the handle of the walking cane of Fig. 1 showing
the position of the battery, the magnet, the loop, the illumination source and the
knob for actuating the grasping device.
Fig. 9 is a cutaway view of the handle of Fig. 8.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference
to Figs. 1-9 of the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are designated
with the same reference numerals.
[0020] The walking cane 10 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a substantially linear elongate tube
12 having a longitudinal axis 14 and two ends forming a distal end 16 and a proximal
end 18. A handle 20 is disposed and secured at the proximal end 18 of the tube 12.
[0021] Incorporated inside the elongate tube 12 is an article grasping device 22 of the
type shown in Figs. 2A and 2B and Figs. 4A and 4B. This device includes a claw 24
formed of a plurality of grippers having an open and a closed state. In particular,
the claw is deployable between and open position (Figs. 2B and 4B) exposed externally
of the distal end 18 of the elongate tube 12 and a closed position (Figs. 2A and 4A)
in which the claw is enclosed within the elongate tube. As may be seen, the grippers
comprise a plurality of wires which have hooked ends for gripping an object. The wires
are configured to spread apart when they are moved out of the opening at the distal
end of the tube, and are forced to draw together when they are withdrawn into the
distal end of the tube.
[0022] The grasping device 22 further includes a rod 26 which extends through the interior
of the elongate tube from the handle at the proximal end of the tube to the grasping
device at the distal end.
[0023] In addition, the grasping device includes a return spring 28 for biasing the rod
toward the proximal end of the tube in the direction of the handle, thereby to bias
the grasping device toward its closed position within the distal end of the tube.
[0024] Finally, the grasping device includes a knob 30, coupled to the proximal end of the
rod 26 for actuation by the user. By pressing down on the knob 30, and forcing the
rod 26 downward in opposition to the force of the spring 28, the claw 24 is pressed
out of the distal end of the tube 12 and allowed to open into a position for grasping
an object, such as an item of clothing. Thereafter, upon releasing the knob 30, the
spring 28 returns the rod and the claw to the upper and closed position, thus grasping
an object in the manner shown in Fig. 5.
[0025] Figs. 3A and 3B show two different embodiments of an illumination source which may
be incorporated into the walking cane according to the present invention. In the device
shown in Fig. 3A, a battery 32 is coupled through an on/off switch 34 to provide electrical
power to LEDs 36 arranged at the distal end of the tube 12. In this embodiment, a
pair of wires 38 extends from the handle through the interior of the tube 12 to the
LEDs 36.
[0026] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3B, the illumination source is incorporated entirely
within the handle 20 of the walking cane. In this case, the on/off switch 40 is actuated
by a push button 42 and, together with the battery 32, provides power to a light source
or lamp 44. The light source 44 preferably comprises on or more LED's, which require
low power, but may also be another type of electric light, such as an incandescent
lamp.
[0027] Figs. 7-9, which show the handle 20 in detail, illustrate the relative positions
of the battery 32, push button 42 and light source 44.
[0028] Conveniently, the handle 20 is further provided with a permanent magnet 46 for attracting
and holding objects that are made, at least in part, of magnetically permeable material
such as iron or steel. This magnet 46 is arranged at the tip of a protruding portion
48 of the handle 20 so that the magnet may attract and thereafter make contact with
the metal object when the protruding portion is placed in the vicinity of the object.
The arrangement of the magnet 46 on the handle 20 is best seen in Fig. 6A and Fig.
9. Fig. 6B shows how the magnet is used to pick up a metal object.
[0029] Finally, as is best illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the handle 20 may be provided at
its base with a loop 50 or similar device for attachment of a carrying strap 52 or
the like.
[0030] There has thus been shown and described a novel walking cane with mechanical and
magnetic pickup devices and illumination source which fulfills all the objects and
advantages sought therefor. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses
and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those
skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings
which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes, modifications,
variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and
scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is to be limited
only by the claims which follow.
1. A walking cane comprising:
(a) a substantially linear elongate tube having a longitudinal axis and two ends forming
a distal end and a proximal end;
(b) a handle disposed at and secured to the proximal end of the elongate tube;
(c) an article grasping device disposed at the distal end of the elongate tube, said
grasping device including a plurality of grippers having open and closed states and
being deployable between (1) an open position exposed externally of the elongate tube
at the distal end, and (2) a closed position enclosed within the elongate tube;
(d) an operating device, disposed in the elongate member and extending from said handle
at said proximal end to said grasping device at said distal end, responsive to actuation
at the handle by a user for moving the grasping device between said open position
and said closed position; and
(e) a light source, including a light control switch disposed on the handle and responsive
to actuation by said user, for illuminating a region near said distal end of said
elongate member.
2. The device defined in claim 1, further comprising a permanent magnet for attracting
and holding objects which are made, at least in part, of magnetically permeable material.
3. The device defined in claim 2, wherein said handle includes a protruding portion,
and wherein said magnet is disposed on said protruding portion.
4. The device defined in claim 1, further comprising loop means for attachment of a carrying
strap.
5. The device defined in claim 4, wherein said loop means is disposed on said handle,
adjacent to its point of attachment with the proximal end of the elongate member.
6. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said grippers comprise a plurality of wires
having hooked ends.
7. The device defined in claim 6, wherein said wires are arranged for movement along
said longitudinal axis into and out of an opening at the distal end of the elongate
tube.
8. The device defined in claim 7, wherein said wires are configured to spread apart when
they are moved out of said opening.
9. The device defined in claim 1, wherein said operating device includes a rod, extending
through the interior of said elongate tube from said handle at said proximal end to
said grasping device at said distal end, for actuating said grasping device.
10. The device defined in claim 9, wherein said operating device further includes a return
spring for biasing said rod toward said proximal end in the direction of said handle,
thereby to bias said grasping device toward said closed position within the elongate
tube.
11. The device defined in claim 9, wherein said operating device further includes a knob
disposed at the end of said rod for actuation by the user.
12. The device defined in claim 11, wherein said knob is disposed in and protrudes upward
from said handle, whereby said know may be pressed downward by the user to actuate
said grasping device.
13. A walking cane comprising:
(a) a substantially linear elongate tube having a longitudinal axis and two ends forming
a distal end and a proximal end;
(b) a handle disposed at and secured to the proximal end of the elongate tube;
(c) an article grasping device disposed at the distal end of the elongate tube, said
grasping device including a plurality of grippers having open and closed states and
being deployable between (1) an open position exposed externally of the elongate tube
at the distal end, and (2) a closed position enclosed within the elongate tube;
(d) an operating device, disposed in the elongate member and extending from said handle
at said proximal end to said grasping device at said distal end, responsive to actuation
at the handle by a user for moving the grasping device between said open position
and said closed position; and
(e) a permanent magnet, disposed on the handle, for attracting and holding objects
which are made, at least in part, of magnetically permeable material.
14. The device defined in claim 13, wherein said handle includes a protruding portion,
and wherein said magnet is disposed on said protruding portion.
15. The device defined in claim 13, further comprising loop means for attachment of a
carrying strap.
16. The device defined in claim 15, wherein said loop means is disposed on said handle,
adjacent to its point of attachment with the proximal end of the elongate member.
17. The device defined in claim 13, wherein said grippers comprise a plurality of wires
having hooked ends.
18. The device defined in claim 17, wherein said wires are arranged for movement along
said longitudinal axis into and out of an opening at the distal end of the elongate
tube.
19. The device defined in claim 18, wherein said wires are configured to spread apart
when they are moved out of said opening.
20. The device defined in claim 13, wherein said operating device includes a rod, extending
through the interior of said elongate tube from said handle at said proximal end to
said grasping device at said distal end, for actuating said grasping device.
21. The device defined in claim 20, wherein said operating device further includes a return
spring for biasing said rod toward said proximal end in the direction of said handle,
thereby to bias said grasping device toward said closed position within the elongate
tube.
22. The device defined in claim 20, wherein said operating device further includes a knob
disposed at the end of said rod for actuation by the user.
23. The device defined in claim 22, wherein said knob is disposed in and protrudes upward
from said handle, whereby said know may be pressed downward by the user to actuate
said grasping device.